A former takeaway on a Hinckley high street will become a Bangladeshi meeting centre after a Government inspector overturned councillors’ refusal.

Borough planning committee members had rejected two bids for a change of use application at The Pantry on Rugby Road.

The last decision from January was appealed by applicant Kamal Ullah and inspector Ian Radcliffe has upheld the appeal.

It means the old hot food outlet will be run as a community hub offering provision for cultural and religious activities, children’s classes and prayers. Both borough council refusals centred on parking issues and potential disturbance to neighbours and accounted for objections from local residents.

However Mr Radcliffe took a different view and in his appeal decision said: “Subject to the proposed development being open only during the stated times of 8am to 8pm it would not result in noise and disturbance, or indiscriminate parking.”

He said the centre would be small, in keeping with the size of the local Bangladeshi community, and other than to greet one another and briefly chat outside the building he did not feel centre users would congregate long enough outside to cause disturbance.

He also said indiscriminate parking inconveniencing local residents was unlikely to occur as the centre was accessible by public transport and on-street parking was available locally, in addition to the proposed centre car park.

He added: “Should this not be the case with the regular meeting hours and timing of prayers it would be a straightforward matter to take enforcement action against parking contraventions.”

As part of the plans some changes will be made to the front elevation of the ground floor, with a new front entrance door and two small windows.

Eight parking spaces will be located to the rear of the building, with access off Willowbank Road.

It is expected the centre will serve between 80 and 100 people - but no more than 30 people are likely to be in the building at one time.

Planning permission has already been granted for an extension to the first floor to create two flats, together with an external staircase.